I would love to put a sign on the outside of my cubicle that reads “Compromised immune system. Do not enter if you are ill”, but that is not acceptable in the workplace. I also keep my MS to myself and, even if people did know, they probably wouldn’t know how my immune system reacts to germs. And if they did, they may not care.
I keep forgetting that, once upon a time, I wasn’t super conscious about how my germs affected the people around me. I covered my mouth when I coughed and sneezed, washed my hands constantly, etc., but I didn’t think “oh maybe I should keep my distance”. You don’t go through life assuming everyone around you has a compromised immune system. But now, I do!
People keep coming into my cubicle coughing, sniffling, complaining of a head cold they’ve had for three weeks. I am so scared of getting sick, because that could mean another relapse or it could mean that I won’t be able to get my scheduled infusion. But I can’t work in a bubble. I’m not allowed to work from home. And I can’t have a sign outside my cubicle that says “DO NOT ENTER”.
So happy cold and flu season everyone! We just have to do our best.
MS and Mimosas 